Huntsville gazette., 1887-05-21
THE HUTCHENS' TRAGEDY.
Investigating Trial Before
Judge Taylor Monday.
Full Report of the Testimony.


killing OF Newton Hutchens last Tuesday
was heard before Judge Taylor Mon
day.
Richard H. Lowe Esq, appeared for
the State, and Capt. L. w. Day for the
defense.
DIR. J.. J.. DEMENT,
being sworn stated substantially as fol.
lows:
knew Newton Hutchens; saw him
last week, and saw and examined him
after he was dead: found three wounds
on his body, one in his right shoulder,
one in his left side and one in mis- thigh.
The two first were mortal. The wound
in his shoulder broke his collar bone,
and penetrated his lungs; examined the
wound in the thigh alter examined the
other wounds; seemed to be nearly a
straight shot; none OF the bullets passed
through.
CROSS EXAMINED
The shoulder wou.A ranged down;
think it went straight, and was not turn
ed from it's direct course by striking any
obstruction; think the thigh wound was
direct, nearly horizontal shot.
CHARLIE HUTCHENs.
am brother of Newton and William
Hutchens; left home early last Tuesday
morning, and went to the shop; | went
to the water closet, in the yard, and met
Will, coming ont; he was putting on his
coat, and in so doing, struck me in the
face with the sleeve or his hand; he used
abusive language and aked me why
didn't fight, as l was so anxious, and if
l wanted to, could do so now; passed
him and sat down; he drew his pistol
and fired; kicked the door shut as he
fired; he then asked me why / didn't
come out, and | said would be pretty
fool to come out when had no chance;
he said he would give me a chance, and
walked to the corner, and / stepped out
of the door; he walked on and was near
the scrap pile, and was near the corner
when Newt came out; Newt passed him
and asked me what was the matter;
told him and he said "you should have
nothing to do with the damned scoun-
drel,' and turned, facing Willie, who
fired; Newt put his hand on his breast,
but l saw no signs Of wound, l laid
my hand on Nevis breast, and Will
fred again, striking me in the arm,
thought Will was firing at me, and not at
Newt; my father just then called to me
to get out of the way, and | ran around
the corner of the lumber pile; when | re-
turned, Newt was lying on the ground.
CROss,EXAMINED.
AS to various quarrels and alterations
with Will, said he had never made any
threats to hurt or kill Will, or told any
one he would do so. All the threats
ever made were in alterations with
Will himself; | never cut or cut at Will
with hatchet or any other sharp in
strument; | threw the hatchet behind
me some distance. and caught Will in
the collar with my lett hand, and drew
back to strike him with my right. when
my father caught me, and the difficulty
stopped. Here coat and vest We're
shown Charlie, with triangular rent in
left side of:.both.garments.) Yes, that is
Wills coat and vest; don't know what
made the rents. / did not.
W. c. POLLARD.
l am employed by Mr.. j. M. Hutchs
ems, and work at the shop when not out
on other work; | went to the shop that
morning about half past o'clock, and
found Newt at work on a frame; Newt,
McNorton and myself were in the shop;
Charlie came in and went out Presently
we heard pistol shot; McNorton said:
"Why, it is Charlie and Will" Newt
repeated his words and went out hastily,
and passed Will. saying something
which | did not distinctly hear; saw
Will wave him off with his left hand; |
could not see a pistol in his hand; viii
see emed to be retreating-he got out Of
the walk and up on the lumber pile; saw
Newt stoop,but did not see him pick up
anything; heard another shot, and then
saw Will shoot at Charley; did mot see
where Charley was standing; then they
got out of my sight; heard two more
shots afterwards, and when l got out,
Newt was lying on the ground, and Will
was standing not far off.
CROSS EXAMINATION.
Think Will waved Newt off with his
left hand; the walk is about five feet
wide-plenty room to pass; plenty OF
missiles within reach, but don't know
whether Newt picked up anything; I
know Newt Hutchens was brave reso-
lutte man--obstinate and hard headed
about anything he undertook; Mr.. J. NJ.
Hutchens was loading lumber, and after
the third shot the parties went in his
direction and out Of my sight; went
out, passed Newt to where Will was and